Drugs, Brains, and Behavior - The Science of Addiction
Published by: honhungoc (Karma: 8660.27) on 1 September 2010 | Views: 2680
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Throughout much of the last century, scientists studying drug abuse labored in the shadows of powerful myths and misconceptions about the nature of addiction. When science began to study addictive behavior in the 1930s, people addicted to drugs were thought to be morally flawed and lacking in willpower. Those views shaped society's responses to drug abuse, treating it as a moral failing rather than a health problem, which led to an emphasis on punitive rather than preventative and therapeutic actions. Today, thanks to science, our views and our responses to drug abuse have changed dramatically. Groundbreaking discoveries about the brain have revolutionized our understanding of drug addiction, enabling us to respond effectively to the problem.
Content Preface ............................................................................................................................................................................ 1 Introduction.................................................................................................................................................................... 3 I. Drug Abuse and Addiction ........................................................................................................................................... 5 II. Preventing Drug Abuse: The Best Strategy................................................................................................................. 11 III. Drugs and the Brain................................................................................................................................................ 15 IV. Addiction and Health................................................................................................................................................ 21 V. Treatment and Recovery ............................................................................................................................................ 25 VI. Advancing Addiction Science and Practical Solutions............................................................................................... 29
